Procurement Policy

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what response he has made to representations by his French counterpart regarding a European preference, in buying weapons, from members of a European armament agency; and if he will make a statement. [34241]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has received no formal representations from his French counterpart on this matter. The United Kingdom maintains a policy of seeking value for money in procurement and of open competition whenever possible.